Cooling device and cooling clothes using the same

ABSTRACT

A cooling device and a cooling coat using the cooling device includes a shell, a TEC cooling/heating module installed inside the shell, a fan and a controlling circuit. The TEC cooling/heating module comprises a TEC plate installed inside the shell, a first and a second heat conductor respectively configured on the cold face and hot face of the TEC plate; the shell is provided with an air inlet at the position corresponding to the fan; the shell is provided with an exhaust port corresponding to the second heat conductor, the end portion of the shell is provided with a cold/hot wind outlet corresponding to the first heat conductor; when the fan is running, air is sucked into the shell through the air inlet, and is blown to the first and second heat conductor.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of cooling technology, and more particularly to a cooling device and a cooling coat using such a cooling device.

2. Description of Related Art

A thermoelectric cooler is produced by use of the Peltier Effect of semiconductor materials. The so-called Peltier Effect is a phenomenon that, when an electric current flows through a circuit comprising dissimilar conductors, thermal energy is absorbed from one junction, and is discharged at the other, making the former cooler and the latter hotter. Heavily doped N-type and P-type bismuth tellurides are mainly used as TEC semiconductor materials. Bismuth tellurides components are electrically connected in series and emit heat in parallel. The TEC includes some P-type and N-type pairs (groups). They are connected through electrodes, and are sandwiched between two ceramic electrodes. When there is an electric current flowing through the TEC, the heat generated by the electric current will be transmitted from one side of the TEC to the other side. As a result, the TEC has a “hot” side (i.e., hot face) and a “cold” side (i.e., cold face). That is the principle of TEC heating and cooling.

At present, a typical cooler made of TEC plates generally uses two fans. One fan blows the cold face of the TEC plate to form cold wind for cooling. The other fan is mounted on the radiator. The radiator is configured on the hot face of the TEC plate. The second fan ventilates the radiator to accelerate the radiation, and to improve the cooling efficiency of the TEC plate. However, using two fans on one cooler makes the assembly structure too complicated. More parts mean higher cost and bigger size of the cooler as a whole, which causes inconvenience. For example, when a big-size cooler is used to produce a cooling coat, the configuration is very inconvenient and the overall appearance is not good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art, and provides a cooling device and cooling coat using the cooling device.

A cooling device, comprising a shell (1), a TEC cooling/heating module (2), a fan (3) and a controlling circuit (4) installed inside the shell (1), wherein the TEC cooling/heating module (2) includes a TEC plate (21) installed inside the shell (1) and electrically connected to the controlling circuit (4), a first heat conductor (22) configured on a cold face of the TEC plate (21) and a second heat conductor (23) configured on a hot face of the TEC plate (21); the shell (1) is provided with an air inlet (11) at a position corresponding to the fan (3); the shell (1) is provided with an exhaust port (12) corresponding to the second heat conductor (23); an end portion of the shell (1) is provided with a cold/hot wind outlet (13) corresponding to the first heat conductor; during operation of the fan (3), air is introduced into the shell (1) via the air inlet (11), and is blown to the first heat conductor (22) and the second heat conductor (23); specifically, the hot wind formed from the second heat conductor (23) is discharged via the exhaust port (12), whereas the cold wind formed from the first heat conductor (22) is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet (13); a controlling circuit (4) can be used to shift between the positive electrode and negative electrode of the power source of the TEC plate (21) to interchange the cold face and the hot face, so that the cold wind formed from the second heat conductor (23) is discharged via the exhaust port (12), whereas the hot wind formed from the first heat conductor (22) is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet (13).

More particularly, wherein the second heat conductor (23), TEC plate (21), and first heat conductor (22) are assembled layer by layer from top to bottom sequentially, the exhaust port (12) is configured on the upper end face of the shell (1), and is located above the second heat conductor (23); the cold/hot wind outlet (13) is configured on the lateral side of the shell (1), and the lateral side of the shell (1) is further provided with a blocking portion (14), the first heat conductor (22) is located beside the cold/hot wind outlet (13), the blocking portion (14) blocks the lateral side of the second heat conductor (23), so as to discharge the hot/cold wind formed from the second heat conductor (23) to the exhaust port (12).

More particularly, wherein the height of the blocking portion (14) is equal to that of the second heat conductor (23), or, the height of the blocking portion (14) is larger than that of the second heat conductor (23).

More particularly, wherein the first heat conductor (22) comprises a base portion (221) and a wind guide structure (222) configured on the base portion (221), made by repeatedly folding a thermal plate, and the wind guide structure (222) has a plurality of blow holes (220) for wind to pass through.

More particularly, wherein the structure of the second heat conductor (23) is the same as that of the first heat conductor (22), and the first heat conductor (22) and second heat conductor (23) are both made of thermal conductive copper or aluminum.

More particularly, wherein the exhaust port (12) comprises a plurality of bar holes (121) distributed at intervals; the sections of the cold/hot wind outlet (13) expand gradually from inside to outside to form a flare opening; the controlling circuit (4) is provided with a cold/hot regulating switch (41); the cold wind indicating light (42) and the hot wind indicating light (43), the cold/hot regulating switch (41), the cold wind indicating light (42) and the hot wind indicating light (43) are all exposed on the surface of the shell (1).

A cooling coat using the cooling device, comprising a coat (5), a cooling device (100), and a mobile power source (6) to supply electric power to the cooling device (100); the cooling device (100) is configured on the coat (5), the air inlet (11) and exhaust port (12) of the cooling device (100) is connected to the outside environment; the cold/hot wind outlet (13) of the cooling device (100) is extended into the coat (5), so that the cold wind or hot wind discharged from the cold/hot wind outlet (13) can directly go into the coat (5).

More particularly, wherein the cooling device (100) is configured on the coat (5) in a detachable form.

More particularly, wherein the coat (5) is provided with a cold/hot wind inlet and a mesh bag (51) covering the cold/hot wind inlet, the cooling device (100) is placed inside the mesh bag (51), and the cold/hot wind outlet (13) of the cooling device (100) is connected to the cold/hot wind inlet; the air inlet (11) and exhaust port (12) of the cooling device (100) are both exposed on the coat (5) through the mesh bag (51).

More particularly, wherein the cooling device (100) is attached to the coat (5) via magic tapes, forming a detachable structure.

Comparing with the prior art, the present invention has the following benefits:

1. The cooling device of the present invention uses one fan to generate wind to blow the first heat conductor on the cold face and the second heat conductor on the hot face of the TEC plate at the same time. Specifically, the cool wind formed from the first heat conductor is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet for cooling; whereas the hot wind formed from the second heat conductor is discharged via the exhaust port for heat radiation and removal to improve the cooling effect of the TEC plate; moreover, a controlling circuit is used to interchange the positive electrode and negative electrode of the TEC plate to interchange the cold face and hot face, so that the hot wind formed from the first heat conductor is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet for heating, whereas the cold wind formed from the second heat conductor is discharged via the exhaust port to improve the heating effect of the TEC plate. The cooling device of the present invention only uses one fan, and the fan and the TEC cooling/heating module are installed in the same shell. In this way, there are less components, the assembly structure is simplified, and the cost is reduced. The overall size of the cooling device is also reduced. Such a small-size cooling device can be conveniently applied in a cooling coat. The configuration or placement is easier and the appearance of the cooling coat is nicer.

2. The cooling coat of the present invention is produced using the cooling device of the present invention. As the cooling device uses only one fan, and the fan and the TEC cooling/heating module is installed in one shell, the cooling device has smaller size to reduce space occupation and to facilitate assembly with the coat. As a result, the cooling coat has better appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooling device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooling device according to the invention from another angle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cooling device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the TEC cooling/heating module according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the TEC cooling/heating module according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cooling coat according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cooling coat according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A cooling device is disclosed in FIGS. 1-6 . The cooling device comprises a shell 1, a TEC cooling/heating module 2 installed inside the shell 1, a fan 3 and a controlling circuit 4. The controlling circuit 4 is used to control the operation of the TEC cooling/heating module 2 and the fan 3 to realize cooling or heating.

The shell 1 comprises a bottom cap 101 and an upper shell 102.

The TEC cooling/heating module 2 comprises a TEC plate 21, mounted inside the shell 1 and electrically connected to the controlling circuit 4, a first heat conductor 22 configured on the cold face of the TEC plate 21, and a second heat conductor 23 configured on the hot face of the TEC plate 21; specifically, the lower end face of the TEC plate 21 is the cold face, whereas the upper end face of the TEC plate 21 is the hot face. The TEC plate 21 is a thermoelectric cooler, which is made by use of the Peltier Effect of semiconductor materials. The principle is that, when an electric current flows through the TEC plate, the heat generated by the electric current will be transmitted from one side of the TEC plate to the other side, forming a “hot” side (i.e., hot face) and a “cold” side (i.e., cold face) on the TEC plate.

The controlling circuit 4 controls high-frequency signals to shift the power supply mode by interchanging the positive and negative electrodes of the power source, so as to alternate the cold face and hot face of the TEC plate. When the controlling circuit 4 controls the first pair of positive and negative electrodes to be electrically connected, and the second pair of positive and negative electrodes not to be connected, the lower end face of the TEC plate 21 is the cold face, the upper end face of the TEC plate 21 is the hot face; when the controlling circuit 4 controls the second pair of positive and negative electrodes to be electrically connected, and the first pair of positive and negative electrodes not to be electrically connected, the upper end face of the TEC plate 21 is the cold face, and the lower end face of the TEC plate 21 is the hot face; thus, by using the controlling circuit 4 to shift between the positive and negative electrodes of the power source of the TEC plate 21, the cold face and hot face can be interchanged.

The shell 1 is provided with an air inlet 11 at the position corresponding to the fan 3, the shell 1 is provided with an exhaust port 12 corresponding to the second heat conductor 23, the end of the shell 1 is provided with a cold/hot wind outlet 13 corresponding to the first heat conductor 22.

The cooling device of the present invention 100 uses a fan 3 to generate wind to blow the first heat conductor 22 on the cold face of the TEC plate 21 and the second heat conductor 23 on the hot face of the TEC plate 21 at the same time. Specifically, the cold wind formed from the first heat conductor 22 is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet 13 for cooling; whereas the hot wind formed from the second heat conductor 23 is discharged from the exhaust port 12 for heat radiation and removal to improve the cooling effect of the TEC plate 21; moreover, the controlling circuit 4 shifts between the positive electrode and negative electrode of the power source of the TEC plate 21 to interchange the cold face and hot face, so that the hot wind formed from the first heat conductor 22 is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet 13 for heating, whereas the cold wind formed from the second heat conductor 23 is discharged via the exhaust port 12 to improve the heating effect of the TEC plate 21. Because the cooling device of the present invention 100 only uses one fan 3, and the fan 3 and the TEC cooling/heating module 2 are installed in the same one shell 1, there are less components, the assembly structure is simplified, and the cost is reduced. Moreover, the reduced overall size can facilitate practical applications.

The second heat conductor 23, TEC plate 21, and first heat conductor 22 are assembled layer by layer from top to bottom sequentially. The exhaust port 12 is provided on the upper end face of the shell 1, and is located above the second heat conductor 23; the cold/hot wind outlet 13 is configured on the lateral side of the shell 1, and the lateral side of the shell 1 is further provided with a blocking portion 14. The first heat conductor 22 is placed beside the cold/hot wind outlet 13. The blocking portion 14 blocks the side face of the second heat conductor 23, so as to guide the hot/cold wind formed from the second heat conductor 23 toward the exhaust port 12. Specifically, when the TEC cooling/heating module 2 is used for cooling, the blocking portion 14 can block the hot wind formed from the second heat conductor 23 so that the hot wind is all removed via the exhaust port 12, instead of passing through the first heat conductor 22. Thus, the cooling effect can be guaranteed. The cold wind is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet 13 at appropriate temperatures. Alternatively, when the TEC cooling/heating module 2 is used for heating, the blocking portion 14 can block the cold wind formed from the second heat conductor 23, so that the cold wind is all removed via the exhaust port 12 instead of passing through the first heat conductor 22. Thus, the heating effect can be guaranteed. The hot wind is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet 13 at appropriate temperatures.

The height of the blocking portion 14 is equal to that of the second heat conductor 23. Or, the height of the blocking portion 14 can be larger than that of the second heat conductor 23. The blocking portion 14 can block the wind passing through the second heat conductor 23, and ensures thorough discharge of the hot/cold wind formed from the second heat conductor 23 via the exhaust port 12.

The structure of the first heat conductor 22 has two types, as described below:

-   -   Type 1: The first heat conductor 22 comprises a base portion 221         and a wind guide structure 222 configured on the base portion         221, made by repeatedly folding a thermal plate. The wind guide         structure 222 has multiple blow holes 220 for the wind to pass         through. Such a wind guide structure 222 features large contact         area and good conduction, and can improve the cooling/heating         effect.     -   Type 2: The first heat conductor 22 comprises a base portion 221         and a plurality of thermal plates (not disclosed) configured on         the base portion 221. Between the adjacent thermal plates, gaps         (not disclosed) are formed for the wind to pass through. Such         type of first heat conductor 22 is a traditional and ordinary         heat radiation seat, and its heat radiation effect is not as         good as the first type. Therefore, the heating/cooling effect is         not so good.

The first heat conductor 22 of the present invention uses the above-mentioned first structure.

The second heat conductor 23 has the same structure as the first heat conductor 22, and is not repeated herein. The first heat conductor 22 and second heat conductor 23 are both made of thermal conductive copper or aluminum materials, with optimum heating/cooling effect.

The exhaust port 12 includes a plurality of bar holes 121 distributed at intervals. The narrow bar holes of the exhaust port 12 can prevent foreign objects from entering, and can contribute to longer life cycle of the cooling device.

The sections of the cold/hot wind outlet 13 are expanded gradually from inside toward outside. Such a flare opening can spread the cold wind or hot wind quickly to improve the cooling/heating effect.

The controlling circuit 4 is provided with a cold/hot regulating switch 41, a cold wind indicating light 42 and a hot wind indicating light 43. The cold/hot regulating switch 41, the cold wind indicating light 42, and the hot wind indicating light 43 are exposed on the outside surface of the shell 1. The cold/hot regulating switch 41 is used to control the cooling device 100 for cooling or heating to meet different needs and offer convenience. The cold wind indicating light 42 and hot wind indicating light 43 are used to indicating the cooling mode or heating mode.

To conclude, the cooling device of the present invention 100 uses one fan 3 to generate wind to blow the first heat conductor 22 on the cold face of the TEC plate 21 and the second heat conductor 23 on the hot face of the TEC plate 21 at the same time, thus forming cold wind or hot wind to be discharged. In addition, a controlling circuit 4 is used to shift between the positive electrode and negative electrodes of the power source of the TEC plate 21, so as to interchange the cold face and the hot face. Thus, cold wind or hot wind can be interchanged and discharged for cooling or heating. Because the cooling device 100 only uses one fan 3, and the fan 3 and the TEC cooling/heating module 2 are installed in the same one shell 1, there are less components, the assembly structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Moreover, the overall size is reduced for convenient applications.

Disclosed in FIGS. 7-8 is a cooling coat using the above-mentioned cooling device. The cooling coat comprises a coat 5, the above-mentioned cooling device 100, and a mobile power source 6 used for supplying power to the cooling device 100; description of the cooling device 100 is already provided above in detail and is not repeated herein.

The coat 5 is provided with a pocket 52 in the front. The mobile power source 6 is placed inside the pocket 52. The mobile power source 6 is electrically connected to the cooling device 100 via a power cord, so as to supply power to the cooling device 100.

The cooling device 100 is configured on the coat 5. The air inlet 11 and exhaust port 12 of the cooling device 100 are both exposed on the coat 5 and are connected to the external environment; The cold/hot wind outlet 13 of the cooling device 100 is extended into the coat 5, so that the cold wind or hot wind discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet 13 can enter into the coat 5.

The cooling device 100 is configured on the upper portion on the back side of the coat 5.

The cooling device 100 is configured on the coat 5 in a detachable form. The assembly methods at least include the following two:

First method: The coat 5 is provided with a cold/hot wind inlet and a mesh bag 51 covering the cold/hot wind inlet. The cooling device 100 is placed inside the mesh bag 51, and the cold/hot wind outlet 13 of the cooling device 100 is connected to the cold/hot wind inlet of the coat 5. The air inlet 11 and exhaust port 12 of the cooling device 100 are both exposed on the coat 5 via the net holes of the mesh bag 51. Such an assembly method requires that the coat 5 is provided with a mesh bag 51, and therefore the coat 5 needs to be custom-made.

Second method: The cooling device 100 is attached to the coat 5 via magic tapes, forming a detachable structure. The coat 5 is provided with a female magic tape, and the shell of the cooling device 100 is provided with a male magic tape. Thus, the cooling device 100 can be attached to the coat 5 through the bond between the male magic tape on the cooling device 100 and the female magic tape on the coat 5. This method is very convenient and does not require a custom-made coat 5.

The cooling coat 5 of the present invention uses the cooling device 100 of the invention. As the cooling device 100 features a small size, the assembly becomes easy and convenient. The cooling device 100 does not occupy a large area, and therefore the overall appearance of the coat 5 is good.

The above descriptions are only specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made according to the structures, features and principles described in the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall be included in the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A cooling device, comprising a shell (1), a TEC cooling/heating module (2), a fan (3) and a controlling circuit (4) installed inside the shell (1), wherein the TEC cooling/heating module (2) includes a TEC plate (21) installed inside the shell (1) and electrically connected to the controlling circuit (4), a first heat conductor (22) configured on a cold face of the TEC plate (21) and a second heat conductor (23) configured on a hot face of the TEC plate (21); the shell (1) is provided with an air inlet (11) at a position corresponding to the fan (3); the shell (1) is provided with an exhaust port (12) corresponding to the second heat conductor (23); an end portion of the shell (1) is provided with a cold/hot wind outlet (13) corresponding to the first heat conductor; during operation of the fan (3), air is introduced into the shell (1) via the air inlet (11), and is blown to the first heat conductor (22) and the second heat conductor (23); specifically, the hot wind formed from the second heat conductor (23) is discharged via the exhaust port (12), whereas the cold wind formed from the first heat conductor (22) is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet (13); a controlling circuit (4) can be used to shift between the positive electrode and negative electrode of the power source of the TEC plate (21) to interchange the cold face and the hot face, so that the cold wind formed from the second heat conductor (23) is discharged via the exhaust port (12), whereas the hot wind formed from the first heat conductor (22) is discharged via the cold/hot wind outlet (13).
 2. The cooling device defined in claim 1, wherein the second heat conductor (23), TEC plate (21), and first heat conductor (22) are assembled layer by layer from top to bottom sequentially, the exhaust port (12) is configured on the upper end face of the shell (1), and is located above the second heat conductor (23); the cold/hot wind outlet (13) is configured on the lateral side of the shell (1), and the lateral side of the shell (1) is further provided with a blocking portion (14), the first heat conductor (22) is located beside the cold/hot wind outlet (13), the blocking portion (14) blocks the lateral side of the second heat conductor (23), so as to discharge the hot/cold wind formed from the second heat conductor (23) to the exhaust port (12).
 3. The cooling device defined in claim 2, wherein the height of the blocking portion (14) is equal to that of the second heat conductor (23), or, the height of the blocking portion (14) is larger than that of the second heat conductor (23).
 4. The cooling device defined in claim 1, wherein the first heat conductor (22) comprises a base portion (221) and a wind guide structure (222) configured on the base portion (221), made by repeatedly folding a thermal plate, and the wind guide structure (222) has a plurality of blow holes (220) for wind to pass through.
 5. The cooling device defined in claim 4, wherein the structure of the second heat conductor (23) is the same as that of the first heat conductor (22), and the first heat conductor (22) and second heat conductor (23) are both made of thermal conductive copper or aluminum.
 6. The cooling device defined in claim 1, wherein the exhaust port (12) comprises a plurality of bar holes (121) distributed at intervals; the sections of the cold/hot wind outlet (13) expand gradually from inside to outside to form a flare opening; the controlling circuit (4) is provided with a cold/hot regulating switch (41); the cold wind indicating light (42) and the hot wind indicating light (43), the cold/hot regulating switch (41), the cold wind indicating light (42) and the hot wind indicating light (43) are all exposed on the surface of the shell (1).
 7. A cooling coat using the cooling device, comprising a coat (5), a cooling device (100) as defined in claim 1, and a mobile power source (6) to supply electric power to the cooling device (100); the cooling device (100) is configured on the coat (5), the air inlet (11) and exhaust port (12) of the cooling device (100) is connected to the outside environment; the cold/hot wind outlet (13) of the cooling device (100) is extended into the coat (5), so that the cold wind or hot wind discharged from the cold/hot wind outlet (13) can directly go into the coat (5).
 8. The cooling coat using the cooling device defined in claim 7, wherein the cooling device (100) is configured on the coat (5) in a detachable form.
 9. The cooling coat using the cooling device defined in claim 8, wherein the coat (5) is provided with a cold/hot wind inlet and a mesh bag (51) covering the cold/hot wind inlet, the cooling device (100) is placed inside the mesh bag (51), and the cold/hot wind outlet (13) of the cooling device (100) is connected to the cold/hot wind inlet; the air inlet (11) and exhaust port (12) of the cooling device (100) are both exposed on the coat (5) through the mesh bag (51).
 10. The cooling coat using the cooling device defined in claim 8, wherein the cooling device (100) is attached to the coat (5) via magic tapes, forming a detachable structure. 